Luke 5:1-11 “The Call” Epiphany Week 5

INTRO> There is a scene in one of CS Lewis’s book of the Narnia series. In the book Prince Caspian: The return to Narnia. Lucy see’s Aslan for the first time in a long time and they exchange in a dialogue: “Aslan, Aslan. Dear Aslan,” sobbed Lucy. “At last.” The great beast rolled over on his side so that Lucy fell, half sitting and half lying between his front paws. He bent forward and just touched her nose with his tongue. His warm breath came all round her. She gazed up into the large wise face. “‘Welcome, child,” he said. “AsIan,” said Lucy, “you’re bigger.” “That is because you are older, little one,” answered he. “Not because you are?” “I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger.” – Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia The Chronicles of Narnia (1951, this edition Harper Collins, 1994) 141.

APP> The season of Epiphany that we are in is like that. We are growing in our understanding of who God is through the person of Jesus Christ and as we grow, it seems as though God is getting bigger and better! But in all reality, God has always been that good and that big!

CONTEXT> Historically during this season, the church has studied certain passages. The Magi, Jesus Baptism, The transfiguration and the calling of the disciples. We see for the first time Jesus picking his crew! There are many ways that we could go with this text but If we are learning that God is like Jesus, then from these verses come “good news”:

Big Idea > God is pursuing people.

APP> How does God do this? by 1) Initiating the relationship 2) Invading our fears 3) Inviting us on mission.

1. God initiates the relationship. v1-4

• • • • • “he saw… he asked… he said to Simon…” Do you see the amount of verbs that Luke is trying to show us here. Jesus is very in control of how these things are going down.
        • “washing their nets” Fishing took place at night and they would have to wash their nets to take care of the equipment. Basically they have failed, didn’t catch anything.

APP> God meets us in the ordinary. “From cover to cover, the Bible portrays our God as living and active young human beings and in history. Scripture show how our all-wise and loving God works, as theologians say, preveniently- or to put it plainly, He always makes the first move towards us. He awakens our spirits, then leads us on a path that sets us apart for himself, at the same time satisfying our human soul. Theologians know this work as grace, the ongoing action of God in our lives.” – Dr. Bruce Demarest, Satisfy Your Soul pg22 “In the beginning God said…” Genesis 1:1

2) God invades our fears. v5-10

• • • “put out into the deep” This isn’t so much about being a fearful request as it just doesn’t seem practical on the surface. Also, in Jewish culture the sea was dangerous and uncontrollable. (Jesus walking on water, Jesus calming the storm)
    • “we’ve fished all night…” Peter response is one that  is based on practicality. Jesus, this isn’t practical but Peter still does it.

APP> There is a part of Jesus that you can only know on the other side of obedience.

• • • “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man…” Here we see Peter’s response to the revelation of Jesus and it’s… “get away from me!” Why? There is probably a number of reasons but maybe this could be a suggestion… Peter knew he was with someone who wasn’t like him. Peter was fearful that if Jesus knew who he really was… a sinner… he wouldn’t love him.

APP> Our greatest fear is that if we are fully known we won’t be fully loved. *This is a picture of a Church Father by the name of John Climacus, Ladder of Divine Ascent: “Fear is the loss of assurance. Do not hesitate to go late at night to those places where you usually feel afraid. But if you yield only a little to such weakness, then this childish and ridiculous infirmity will grow old with you.” Step 21

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” 1 John 4:18

• • • • “Do not be afraid” in the original, Jesus literals says, “Stop being afraid..” Don’t you love that! It’s like Peter trys to push Jesus away and Jesus just presses in harder!

APP> We see this love expressed in how Jesus draws him closer to the mission.

3) God invites us into the mission. v10-11

• • • • “from now on you will be catching men..” It’s a play on words here. You catch fish but now you will catch people! The way that it’s written literally means, “Catching people alive!”

APP> This is the very story line of the Bible! Two things I see just in these verses about mission.

• • • • To be missional is to be intentional.
      • To be missional is to be sacrificial.

*ILL> There is a story told of an old man who lived in Italy and was a hoarder. He hoarded violins, when he died his family was left with dealing with all the violins. When they had an appraiser come look, there were extremely rare violins there. From the appraiser could tell, they hadn’t been played. The appraiser said that it was a shame that the world had never heard the music that these instruments could make because they where hidden away.

APP> God saves us to send us.

Big Idea > God is pursuing people.

Closing application Questions:

• • • What current circumstance in your life could God possibly be drawing you “out into the deep”?
    • What are you afraid of?
    • Since God has pursued you, who are you pursuing?